Updated: Thursday, 05 Feb 2015 15:32 | Comments
Italy are anxious to turn over a new leaf in the RBS 6 Nations after last year's wooden-spoon performance.
The Azzurri begin their new Six Nations campaign against last year's winners Ireland in Rome on Saturday.
Italy know what it takes to beat Ireland on home soil because they won 22-15 against them in 2013.
"We are really impatient to start," Newcastle lock Josh Furno told the Italian press.
"The Six Nations is the most important event in our season and we can't wait to get started.
"We have been waiting a whole year for the Six Nations and we are so determined to make amends for last year's tournament."
Italy finished the 2014 Six Nations in last place after losing all of their games.
A disappointing summer tour, which saw them lose to Japan, Fiji and Samoa, followed.
The Azzurri did then beat Samoa in an autumn international but closed out the year with defeats to Argentina and South Africa.
Jacques Brunel's men are desperate to rediscover their winning touch and the 25-year-old Furno believes Italy can deliver right from the start.
"I believe we can do well against Ireland," Australia-born Furno said.
"We have a lot of confidence in ourselves. We have worked hard and are really fired up. Ireland are a difficult opponent but we have a good team too.
"In the autumn Tests, besides the game against South Africa, we always had 90 per cent of possession."
Furno, who was born in Australia but raised in Italy, believes his first season in the Aviva Premiership has made him a stronger player.
"The experience in the Premiership with the Falcons has been really stimulating," he said.
"We've had ups and downs because those that joined the team needed time to adapt.
"Now we are getting the results we want. The team is doing well and we have reached the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.
"I hope I can do well with Italy and help the team succeed. I'm really enthusiastic and I hope I can deliver in every game to remain in the team."
Italy will be without experienced lock Quintin Geldenhuys for the entire tournament.
The 33-year-old forward hurt his knee in training last month and is out for 45 days.
"I played three games with Quintin in November and even last year we were both on the starting XV," Furno said. "I got used to playing with him but one needs to adapt and with George Biagi, we will try to do our very best."
With Geldenhuys not available for Saturday, Zebre lock Biagi has been included in the starting XV alongside Treviso flanker Francesco Minto who comes in for injured flanker Samuela Vunisa.
The two players are the only changes made by Brunel in his starting line-up with respect to the side that lost 22-6 to South Africa in Padua in Italy's last autumn Test in November.
Brunel has included uncapped Treviso flanker Marco Barbini on the bench while experienced lock Marco Bortolami is ruled out with a muscular problem.
Italy are without injured centres Gonzalo Canale and Gonzalo Garcia.
Italy team to face Ireland: A Masi; L Sarto, M Campagnaro, L Morisi, L McLean; K Haimona, E Gori; M Aguero, L Ghiraldini, M Castrogiovanni; J Furno, G Biagi; A Zanni, F Minto, S Parisse.
Replacements: A Manici, A De Marchi, D Chistolini, M Fuser, M Barbini, G Palazzani,T Allan, G Venditti.
Ireland have also named their team for Saturday's Test.
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